Photographic-film package



June 24, 1930.

Filed March 23, 1929 J. L. GARRETSON PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet l ,jnwntov Joini L.(1 arre1s0u June 24, 1930. J. L. GARRETSON 1,767,972

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PACKAGE Filed March 23, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r7531? arr is'on amnion v Patented June 24, 1930 JOHN L. GARRETSON, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK PHOTOGBAPHIC-FILM PACKAGE Application filed March 23, 1929.

This invention relates to im rovements in the construction of photograp ic film packages havin particular reference to film packages t e type intended for X-ray use. X-ray photographic elements or films, as now manufactured, are individually packed in separate containers or envelopes y which they are protected against exposure to light. In making X-ray photographs, the photographic elements are left in t eir containers while the photographs are being taken and removed there rom only when they are to be developed. The construction of the film packa e ordinarily is such as to require the enve ope to be torn away manuall in order to remove the element. Since t e element must be protected against exposure to li ht, its removal in this manner necessitates t e use of a dark room.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a construction in which the container is arranged to afford full protection to the photographic element contained therein while readily permitting the endwise with- 2 drawal of the element from the envelope.

Another object is to rovide a construction in which the element is connected. to an external member which may be readily engaged, either manually or mechanically, to

80 effect the withdrawal of the element.

A further object is to provide a construction which is particularl ada ted for use in connection with the day ight eveloping apparatus described and claimed in my 00- endin application, Serial Number 349,364,

ed arch 23, 1929. In this apparatus a photographic element is mechanically removed from its container and transferred to o a receptacle in which it may be subjected to the various baths of the developing process,

the arrangement being such as to protect the element at all times against exposure to light.

An embodiment of the invention is illus- 45 trated in the accompanying drawings where- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the package. a 1

Figure 2 is 9. pers ective of the same.

Figure 3 is a simi ar perspect ve showing Serial No. 349,885.

the package when arranged to ermit the withdrawal of the photographic e ement.

Figure 4 is a similarperspective showing the element partly withdrawn.

Figure 5 is a perspective of a suitable tank which forms a part ofthe developing apparatus.

Figure 6 is a perspective of the casing with its hinged door swung open.

Figure 7 is a perspective of the carriage frame. a

Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views respectively showing the apparatus as it appears immediately before and after the mec ani-- cal withdrawal-of the element.

In accordance with the invention, the photo raphic element 1 of a film package is provided with a tab 2 which projects from a strip 3 preferably composed of a light proof material and cemented or otherwise secured to the back or unemulsified side of the element. The element 1 is suitably placed within an envelope 4 having a front or exposure face 4 and a rear face 4 The element is arranged to have its tab 2 project from one end of the envelope through which the element may be withdrawn, the opposite end of the envelope being formed or otherwise provided with a tab 5.

For the purpose of insuring a light tight seal at the withdrawal end of the envelope and at the same time preventing the accidental withdrawal of the element, the element tab 2 and an extended portion of the front or exposure face 4* of the envelope are bent over a and cemented to the outer surface of the rear face 4* of the envelope. The tab 2 preferably is made of such len h as to extend beyond the end of the enve ope exposure face 4; to facilitate the'removal of the element. In effecting the removal of the photographic element 1, t-he tab 2 is disengaged from the rear face 4 and pulled back so as to tear a breach in the overturned portion of the front face 4* .of the envelope. This operation may be performed in daylight with perfect safety to the element inasmuch as the light proof strip 3 protects the element at the breach while the rest of the element is completely covered by the envelope. The element may now bewithdrawn merely by engaging the tabs 2 and 5 and pulling them in opposite directions. This operation, when manually performed, must, of course, take place in a dark room.

The provision of the tabs 2 and 5, however, permits the mechanical withdrawal of the film by the developing apparatus disclosed in the copending application noted. This apparatus includes a tank having a removable cover 11, a casing 12 insertable into the tank and provided with an opening which is adapted to be closed by a hinged cover 13, and a carriage frame 14 composed of a series of plates synnnetrically arranged and secured in spaced parallel relation to delimit a series of separate chambers each of which is adapted to receive a lilm package.

The casing 12 is also provided with a vertical extension 15 which is formed to delimit a vertical guideway leading into the casing 12. The upper end of the extension 15 carries a bail 16 in the form of a pin which projects over the casing 12.

In the use of the apparatus, a film package having its photographic element tab 2 pulled back, is placed into a chamber of the carriage frame 1 1. The tab 2 of the package is secured to the carriage frame by passing a pin 17 transversely through suitable apertures in the frame adjacent one end thereof, the pin 17 being, at the same time, passed through the tab 2 which perferably is perforated for this purpose. lVith the packages thus attached to the carriage frame, the latter is supported from the bail 16 which overlies the casing 12, by threading the envelope tab 5 over the bail, this tab also being perforated. By proceeding in this manner it is evident that the frame is supported from the bail 16 by virtue of the binding action between the photographic element and the envelope and also by the overturned end of the envelope. The casing 12 is now placed within the tank 10 with the hinged door 13 held in its open position through contact with the frame 14. The tank cover 11 which carries a plunger 18 is thereafter fitted to render the tank dark and to position the plunger 18 over the carriage frame 14. By pressing the plunger 18inward, it is brought into engagement with the carriage frame 14 forcing the latter downward. In moving downward, the carriage frame carries the element 1 with it, thereby effecting a withdrawal of the element from its envelope, this action continuing until the element is completely disengaged whereupon the carriage frame drops by gravity and, in dropping, is guided into the casing 12. The casing door 13 is now free to move by gravity to its closed position thereby completely enclosing the carriagc frame and photographic elements. Since the casing 12 affords full protection to the element 1 contained therein, it is obvious that the element may be subjected to the various developing baths either within or without the tank 10. It may be pointed out that these baths may also be utilized to remove a tab 2 from its element by dissolving the binder used to hold the tab to the element.

To facilitate the flow of the various baths into and out of the casing 12, the latter is provided with apertures 12 which are formed in such of its sides as extend parallel to the plates of the frame 14. By so doing, the plates of the frame prevent any light which may pass through the apertures-when the casing is withdrawn from the tank and subjected to light-from striking the photographic element.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A photographic film package comprising an envelope, a photographic element arranged within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a member substantially impervious to daylight secured to said element at its withdrawal end and affording a means of withdrawing said element from said envelope, said member being arranged to protect the withdrawal end of the element from exposure to light prior to its withdrawal.

2. A photographic film package comprising an envelope, a photographic element arranged within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a member substantially impervious to daylight secured to the back of said element and projecting through the withdrawal end of the envelope to afford a means of withdrawing said element from said envelope, said member being arranged to protect the withdrawal end of the element from exposure to light prior to its withdrawal.

3. A photographic film package comprising an envelope, a photographic element arranged within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a strip connected to said element adjacent its withdrawal end, and a tab connected to said strip and providing a means of withdrawing said element from said envelope.

4. A photographic film package comprising an envelope, a photographic element arranged within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a strip substantially impervious to daylight secured to said element adjacent its withdrawal end, and a tab connected to said strip and projecting from said envelope to provide a means of withdrawing said element from said envelope, said strip being arranged to protect the withdrawal end of the element from exposure to light prior to its withdrawal.

5. A photographic film package comprismg an envelope, a photographic element arranged within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a strip lClU substantially impervious todaylight cements drawal end of the element from exposure to ed to the back of said element adjacent its withdrawal end, and a tab connected to said strip and projecting from said envelope to provide a means of withdrawing said element from said envelope, said strip bein arranged to protect the withdrawal end of'ti light prior to In testimon signature.

eelement from exposure to light .prior'f to @drawal.v 6. A photographic film package vcomprising an envelope havingafrontexposure face and a rear face, a photographic, element .arranged Within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal frnione end thereof, a member connected to said element and extending through the withdrawal end of said envelope,

said member being bent over so as to extend along an outer face of the'envelope, the o posi-te face of the envelope being similarly ent to cover the withdrawal end of the envelope.

7. A photographic 'film package comprising an envelope having a front exposure face and a rear face, a photographic element arranged within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a member connectedto -said element and extending through'the withdrawal end of saidenvelope,

said member being bent over so as to extend along the rear face of the envelope, the front face thereof bein similarly bent to cover the withdrawal en of the envelope.

8. A photographic film package comprising an envelope having a front exposure face Q and a rear face, a photographic element; ar-o ranged within said envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a-member connected to said element and extending through the withdrawal end of said envelo'gile,

said member being bent over and detacha secured to the rear face of the envelope the front face thereof having an extension which is similarly bent to cover the of the envelope. I

9. A photographic film package coiiiprising an envelope having a front exposure face and. a rear face, a hotographic element arranged within sai envelope and adapted for withdrawal from one end thereof, a member connected to said element and extending through the withdrawal end of said envelope, said member impervious to daylight secured to the back of said element adjacent the withdrawal end of said envelope, a tab eonnected to said member and extending through the withdrawal end withdrawal end, said member be' g bent over over and secured to the rear f of the enyelope, and an extension connected to the front face of the envelope and bent so as to- I cover the withdrawal end of the envelope, the

tab being arranged for detachment from therear face of said envelope whereby it is availitswithdrawal.

y whereof I hereby lay 

